Geothermal Heat Pumps Advantages CTGeo Assn

Guy Wanegar, CGD
Connecticut Geothermal Association
www.ctgeo.org
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No Fossil Fuels Utilized Onsite
Clean Systems
Lowest CO2 Emissions
Safe Systems
Energy Efficiency
Versatility
Energy Tracking
Success Factors
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No fuel stored on site
No fuel piping on site
No fuel combustion on site
No worries about fuel deliveries during bad weather
Fewer worries about needing emergency service
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No Odors
No combustion (air quality)
Equivalent to planting 750 trees per geothermal heat
pump installed
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CO2 Emission values were taken from the US Energy
Information Administration website
The only emissions caused by geothermal heat pump
systems are emitted at gas-fired electric power plants
 In Connecticut, about 53% of electricity is produced
at Natural Gas fired power plants
 The remaining electricity is produced at nuclear
power plants – no CO2
 Most (3/4) of the heat delivered by geothermal heat
pump systems is ‘pumped’ from the earth – no CO2
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No risk of fuel leaks or spillage
No risk of explosion from a gas leak
No Carbon Dioxide or Carbon Monoxide expelled on
site
No Methane expelled on site
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Geothermal Heat Pump Systems run on electricity, but
over 70% of the heat for heating comes from the earth.
Electric costs have historically been more stable, per
Btu used, than fossil fuels.
When combined with solar PV, this is true renewable
technology
When designed and installed properly, it will pay for
itself in a short time
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Software was used to calculate the operating costs for
an average home in Connecticut.
The operating cost for a typical geothermal heat pump
system was compared to fuel oil, propane and natural
gas, using current energy prices in Connecticut.
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Everybody asks: what’s the payback?
At current energy prices, using the 30% IRS tax credit
for residential installations, the payback is about ten to
twelve years vs. propane and oil systems having
conventional air conditioning.
Last year, the payback period was five to seven years
vs. propane and oil, respectively.
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Next year’s payback - ?
And it’s not just about payback. These systems
provide superior comfort, while being versatile and
gentle to the environment.
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Geothermal systems can heat and cool simultaneously
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Commercial buildings can heat the outer rooms while air
conditioning the inner rooms, without relying on 100% of the
loop field.
Heat pumps transfer heat from one area to another, or
to the earth.
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Re: Making ice while heating water;
Chilling milk while producing hot water for washing the
milking area.
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Geothermal heat pumps can transfer heat to water, air,
or any similar substance, and remove heat just as
easily.
Commercial applications can also take advantage of
the many sizes (in BTU value) of geothermal heat
pumps, sizing equipment for specific applications.
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Geothermal systems are easily monitored to provide
real-time energy use. A simple measurement of flow
rate, temperature difference, and wattage number give
concrete data on energy use
These calculations can provide insight as to when
maintenance will need to be performed, or if a problem
should arise.
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Right-sized loop (enough heat-exchange loop in the
ground to satisfy the heating and cooling loads)
Minimize fan watts (properly sized ducts)
Minimize pumping watts (properly sized pipes)
Properly sized pipes for radiant floor systems
Properly designed temperature set-points and delivery
design for radiant floor systems (loops above floor
decking, or within slab)